Journaling can be a great habit to help you learn more about yourself, discover what you are grateful for, and achieve personal, professional, and relationship goals. It is easy, doesn’t take a lot of time, and can be built into your routine without much pain. The first step is to find a journal you like.... Continue Reading →
Steel Pan music emerged from the tradition of enslaved African people creating new musical inventions to compensate for their drums and other instruments being taken from them by slave owners. Slave owners often thought that the drums and other instruments were communication tools being used by slaves to plan revolts and uprisings. Therefore, they were... Continue Reading →
Over the last nine months since I have been an intern at Olive Branch Counseling Associates in Tinley Park, I have had the opportunity to provide counseling services in various settings. Among them are Roseland on the south side of Chicago, and West Garfield Park on the west side. Clients in both of these communities... Continue Reading →
Depression and anxiety are among the mental health challenges of most concern around the world. Mindfulness training is a common approach used to help people to manage various aspects of depression and anxiety. According to Erford (2020: 96), “By nature, humans are self-aware and attentive. But people vary in these characteristics, and how they cultivate... Continue Reading →
In my time as a counselor, I have found myself disliking the broad question of: “What brings you to therapy?’ I find this question sometimes creates a wave of nervousness or pressure for the client. While it is certainly important for both the therapist and client to ultimately collaborate on goals and seek direction, I... Continue Reading →
There is hope if you or a loved one is experiencing a suicidal crisis, emotional distress, or a substance abuse crisis. You can now call 988 and be instantly connected to a network of local crisis centers that provide free and confidential emotional support. On July 16, The National Suicide Hotline went live and is... Continue Reading →
We all tend to overthink situations from time to time. We can feel our anxiety start to rise in our bodies. Our heart rate goes up, our palms get sweaty, our neck starts to feel tense. Thoughts race through our mind faster than we can keep up with as our mind jumps from one idea... Continue Reading →
I looked in the mirror on Monday morning and said to myself, “Wow! You look awful!” I could see the puffy bags under my eyes, the fine lines around my eyes had turned into angry crow’s feet. My hair was frizzy and in need of a color treatment. I then went to my closet trying... Continue Reading →
Some people attempt to avoid discomfort or other uncomfortable feelings. They may avoid any negative experience, conversation, or encounter that could elicit pain. They might not even realize their avoidance comes from not wanting to feel uncomfortable. People may mask their feelings by saying things like, “Good vibes only!” or “There is always a silver... Continue Reading →
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